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The protection of windows and glass doors from flying debris is one of the most basic and
effective means of reducing losses in a windstorm. Opening protection refers to products that
provide a level of impact resistance from flying debris in a windstorm. The amount of impact
resistance is determined by impact tests at a special laboratory.
Various test standards have been developed to qualify products for a high level of impact
resistance.
Most insurance companies offer discounts for shutter or impact resistant glass products that
have passed a large missile impact test. Note that all glazed openings (i.e. windows, skylights
and doors with glass) must be protected for you to receive an insurance discount. Some
companies offer additional discounts if all openings, including doors without glass, also meet
the impact test standards.
The Florida Building Code allows certain wood structural panels with proper fasteners to be
used for opening protection in all counties except Miami-Dade and Broward. This is generally
the least expensive way to shutter a home, but this type of shutter is not always accepted by
insurance companies.
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New Homes
The Florida Building Code includes a
wind-borne debris region that requires
consideration of flying debris in the design
of all new homes. Within this region,
homes must have opening protection to
resist flying debris or be designed for
higher "internal pressures" that result
when flying debris breaks a window. The
insurance discounts are much greater for
homes that have opening protection for
flying debris. In Miami-Dade and Broward
Counties, builders are required to protect
all openings from flying debris and, hence,
the higher "internal pressure" design
option cannot be used in those counties.
Existing Homes
Existing homes in Central Florida Counties
built after 2002 should have opening
protection that will qualify for significant
credits. Existing homes that have impact
resistant shutters will also qualify for
insurance discounts.
The Florida Building Code includes a
wind-borne debris region that requires
consideration of flying debris in the design
of all new homes. Within this region,
homes must have opening protection to
resist flying debris or be designed for
higher "internal pressures" that result
when flying debris breaks a window. The
insurance discounts are much greater for
homes that have opening protection for
flying debris. In Miami-Dade and Broward
Counties, builders are required to protect
all openings from flying debris and, hence,
the higher "internal pressure" design
option cannot be used in those counties.
Existing Homes
Existing homes in Central Florida Counties
built after 2002 should have opening
protection that will qualify for significant
credits. Existing homes that have impact
resistant shutters will also qualify for
insurance discounts.
| Hurricane Panels |
| Roll Down Shutters |
| Bahama Shutters |
Retrofitting an Existing Home for
Opening Protection.
Protecting the openings of a house
provides improved protection from
windstorms and should be considered by
all homeowners. The insurance discounts
over many years can help offset the costs.
Make sure that the opening protection
meets the test standards in the Florida
Building Code.
There are essentially two ways to protect
an opening from wind-borne impact:
1. Replace the window or glass door with
a product designed and tested to meet
impact requirements.
2. Cover the "old" window or glass door
with an external protection device -
generally called a shutter.
Protecting the openings of a house provides improved protection from windstorms
and should be considered by all homeowners. The insurance discounts over many
years can help offset the costs. Make sure that the opening protection meets the
test standards in the Florida Building Code.
Levels of protection
Hurricane Level Protection
The only way to determine if a product can withstand wind borne debris impacts is
through testing in a laboratory. Therefore, verification of impact resistance in the
field must rely on review of documentation and labeling of products that have been
tested in the laboratory. Shutter products that have been tested will usually have
labels or stamps embossed on the shutter that indicate they pass one of the
following standards.
Miami-Dade PAS 201, 202 and 203 (verified through a Dade County
Notice of Acceptance)
SSTD 12-97 (verified with documentation that the product has passed
this test)
ASTM E 1996 9-pound missile (verified with documentation)
and should be considered by all homeowners. The insurance discounts over many
years can help offset the costs. Make sure that the opening protection meets the
test standards in the Florida Building Code.
Levels of protection
Hurricane Level Protection
The only way to determine if a product can withstand wind borne debris impacts is
through testing in a laboratory. Therefore, verification of impact resistance in the
field must rely on review of documentation and labeling of products that have been
tested in the laboratory. Shutter products that have been tested will usually have
labels or stamps embossed on the shutter that indicate they pass one of the
following standards.
Miami-Dade PAS 201, 202 and 203 (verified through a Dade County
Notice of Acceptance)
SSTD 12-97 (verified with documentation that the product has passed
this test)
ASTM E 1996 9-pound missile (verified with documentation)
| Opening Protection |
| Missile Test |
| Shutter Impact |
Basic Level Protection
All glass openings are protected with
a shutter or impact resistant glazing
that meets the ASTM E 1996,
4.5-pound missile test. Most
insurance companies will require
documentation from the manufacturer
that attests to this testing standard.
Ordinary Level Protection
Some companies offer credits when
all glass openings are protected with
a shutter that does NOT meet the
impact resistant standards listed
above. The requirements from each
insurance company will vary, but
typically require certification that the
product was designed for a certain
wind pressure or has certain features
that can be verified by a qualified
inspector.
All glass openings are protected with
a shutter or impact resistant glazing
that meets the ASTM E 1996,
4.5-pound missile test. Most
insurance companies will require
documentation from the manufacturer
that attests to this testing standard.
Ordinary Level Protection
Some companies offer credits when
all glass openings are protected with
a shutter that does NOT meet the
impact resistant standards listed
above. The requirements from each
insurance company will vary, but
typically require certification that the
product was designed for a certain
wind pressure or has certain features
that can be verified by a qualified
inspector.
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